The Minister for Defence, Mr. Simon Coveney, T.D., announced today that Naval Service flagship the LÉ Eithne conducted a second successful rescue operation in the Mediterranean this morning involving 300 migrants

The Minister commented “the continued efforts of the LÉ Eithne to make a real contribution to the migrant crisis in the Mediterranean is commendable, this second rescue coming immediately after handing over rescued migrants from yesterday’s operation reflects the commitment and professionalism of the Ship’s crew.

This latest incident occurred 45 kilometres North of Libya in the early hours of this morning. The migrants were on board a barge that was attempting to cross the South Central Mediterranean. The migrants include men, women and children. The LÉ Eithne handed over 201 rescuees from yesterday’s rescue operation over to the HMS Bulwark, and received this further tasking from the Italian Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre. The LÉ Eithne deployed immediately to assist and arrived on scene at 4 am.

The Minister has confirmed that “All 300 migrants from the barge were successfully taken on board the LÉ Eithne and the ship iscurrently awaiting further instruction from the Italian Marine Rescue Co-Ordination Centre”

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